TACOMA, Washington (AP) -- A woman admitted Monday that she coached her two children to fake retardation starting when they were 4 and 8 years old so she could collect Social Security benefits on their behalf.
Rosie Costello, 46, admitted in U.S. District Court that she collected more than $280,000 in benefits, beginning in the mid-1980s. Most was from Social Security, but the state social services agency paid $53,000.
Costello pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and Social Security fraud. Her son, Pete, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month. Federal prosecutors in Seattle said Monday authorities had not yet located her daughter, Marie.
According to the plea agreement, Costello began coaching her daughter at age 4, and later used the same ruse with her son. He feigned retardation into his mid-20s -- picking at his face, slouching and appearing uncommunicative in meetings with Social Security officials.
Social Security workers became suspicious and uncovered a video of Pete Costello ably contesting a traffic ticket in a Vancouver courtroom.
Pete Costello is scheduled to be sentenced May 11 and faces from six months to a year in prison, as well as $59,000 in restitution.
Rosie Costello is scheduled for sentencing May 17. Her standard sentencing range was not immediately available, but in the plea agreement she agreed to repay the government.
Mother coached kids to act retarded.
Moderator: Dictators in Training
Mother coached kids to act retarded.
ohhhhhh rusteh.
Snero wrote:the impressive thing, is how well fin pulls it off and he didn't even have to be trained
bravo!
i love snerp, he just pops in at the most random times to throw little quips like this in
ah, french canadians, my one true love
"I think you may be confusing government running amok with government doing stuff you don't like. See, you're in the minority now. It's supposed to taste like a shit taco." - Jon Stewart
Re: Mother coached kids to act retarded.
Scatillac wrote:TACOMA, Washington (AP) -- A woman admitted Monday that she coached her two children to fake retardation....
Her son, Pete, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month.
OMG Kinghooter, did you at least try a plea deal?
Why fight it, i am a Man Whore!
